Please help! Alaska itinerary for RV newbie.

greeholiday wrote:
As we have a relatively short trip, what do other think of skipping the long drive to Denali and stay a few nights at Talkeetna campground instead, taking a flightseeing trip if the weather is clear? Thanks.

I would do this. Perhaps I'm jaded, but you'll see more (whether it's mountains, animals, or whatever) in a 3-hour flightseeing tour (admittedly needing good weather) than you'll see on a day-long road trip, even inside the park.

Look to book a flightseeing trip from Talkeetna that is not limited to the mountain...you can then see some of the other spectacular scenery in McKinley area even if the mountain is clouded over. Remember, with the possible exception of weather being on one side or the other of the mountain, if it's too cloudy to see from the air, it will be too cloudy to see the peak from the ground as well. Of course, you'll see the slopes from the road trip, but one can see the slopes of mountains other than Denali.

As others have noted, I'd suggest dividing your trip into two and coming back next year...do either a North or South portion one year and the other the next.

Speaking from direct personal experience flying over as well as climbing partway up, Denali/McKinley is spectacular when seen up close...but the standard view from the bus gives you a view of a big mountain, but not that great of a view and nothing anymore scenic than other views of other mountains along the road to Fairbanks.

I'd skip Denali if you're interest is "just" seeing the mountain. If you want to devote 4 days to a week to camp, hike, etc, Denali's a great place....but to me it's not worth the time or the angst caused by glitter gulch to just try to see the mountain.